A debutante with a scandalous past is whisked away from London only to create new headlines on the Continent. After being expelled from a young ladies’ academy, it seems Miss Arabella Jardine will never find a well-connected husband. Not that she minds. A bluestocking at heart, she’d rather bury her nose in a medical text than wed. When Arabella is forced to accompany her family on a Grand Tour … her family on a Grand Tour in Switzerland, she unexpectedly encounters the irresistible rakehell-in-exile, Gabriel, the Earl of Langdale. Arabella soon realizes the only thing worse than getting married to a charismatic but unrepentant rake would be to fall in love with him.
Dubbed the Errant Earl by the ton, Gabriel Holmes-Fitzgerald is no stranger to scandal. However, when Gabriel is caught in flagrante with the utterly delectable Arabella Jardine, he’s obliged to offer for her hand. He’ll endeavor to do the right thing even though he’s not a prize catch. He’ll certainly never let Arabella get close enough to discover the demons of his dark past. Indeed, there is one particular demon out to destroy Gabriel by exposing a long-buried family secret.
Soon Gabriel and Arabella find they are not just battling overwhelming desire, but in a fight to save their future together.
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A lovely, easy-to-read story with characters that will make you laugh and cry. Well worth reading.
Series: The Disreputable Debutantes #2
Publication Date: 4/28/20
Number of Pages: 336
In the first book of the series, How to Catch a Wicked Viscount, we met Sophie Brightwell, Lady Charlotte (Charlie) Hastings, Arabella Jardine, and Olivia de Vere who were expelled from Mrs. Rathbone’s Academy for Young Ladies of Good Character. In that book, the four of them created a list of rakes they could consider and pursue as husbands – because no respectable peer would deign to marry one of the disgraced quartet. Sophie got her rake, now it is Arabella’s turn.
While she is medically skilled, Arabella Jardine has one of the lowest self-esteems I’ve seen in a long while. Her aunt is a nasty piece of work and has constantly belittled Arabella. The fact that Arabella’s mother abandoned her in an orphanage only adds to that low self-esteem. So, when a most unexpected man compliments her, she believes he is lying. Now, I do have to tell you that Arabella’s constant doubt and neediness got on my last nerve. In general, I liked her, and I could even see a bit of why she thought the way she did – but – her demands were just designed to drive Gabriel away.
Gabriel Holmes-Fritzgerald, Earl of Langdale, is known to the ton as The Errant Earl because of his constant womanizing. Evidently, he is insatiable. His father was a rake and a cad as well and Gabriel is following in many, but not all, of his footsteps. Gabriel’s latest escapade – dallying with a married woman – has landed him in yet another scandal. That isn’t unusual, but maybe he needs to lay low for a while. At the same time, his nasty cousin, Timothy, is threatening to challenge him for his title by saying that Gabriel is illegitimate. Gabriel can kill two birds with one stone. He’ll travel to the continent to track down the mother who abandoned him when he was thirteen because he needs to get proof of his parent’s marriage and he can be away from London while the scandal dies down. I really liked Gabriel and the fact that he was always honest with Arabella. He even kept telling her he would always be honest with her.
When Arabella and Gabriel meet on the continent – and Arabella is compromised by Gabriel – they begin their very rocky road to their HEA. Arabella’s low self-esteem won’t let her believe Gabriel could possibly find her attractive and Gabriel’s firm belief that he cannot love anybody dampens his hope that they can make a happy marriage. He is very honest with Arabella and tells her everything before she even agrees to the marriage. But – can they find it within themselves to let go of their insecurities and make their marriage work? They’ll both have their work cut out for them, but maybe with the aid of some very caring friends they can figure it all out.
This was a fun read with lovely characters, fun visits with previous characters, a mystery, kidnapping, rescues– you name it. I hope you enjoy it.
I voluntarily read and reviewed an Advanced Reader Copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
How to Catch an Errant Earl is the second book in the Disreputable Debutantes series, and I enjoyed it more than the first book. I loved the characters and Arabella “Bella” and Gabriel were perfect for each other. Bella was so confident with her medical knowledge but had so much self-doubt about her value. Her family’s disregard for her didn’t help, but Gabriel was so charming and saw her for who she was. They were both upfront about their past and future together. The book was beautifully written, fast-paced, and attention-grabbing. I can’t wait for the next book the sneak peek I saw was fantastic!
I received an ARC and am voluntarily leaving a review. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
I enjoyed the overall storyline of the book. Two strangers meet, get married after one day of knowing each other and spent the rest of the time getting familiar with each other. The heroine Arabella had a difficult time growing up. She was rescued by her grandfather who saw Arabella take an interest in his job as a physician. He taught her many things until he passed away. She then had to live with her cruel aunt, her mother’s sister. The aunt was caustic, mean and had no respect for Arabella and treated her with disgust and shame. I had a hard time with Arabella’s character as she believed she was nobody and nothing of worth. But that was the result of her aunt’s influence. Yet she still had a bit of rebellion in her. When she had to marry Gabriel after being found in a compromising kiss, her aunt threatened her and even slapped her across the face to make sure she would marry and not be a disgrace to the family. I really disliked Arabella’s aunt. Gabriel was completely honest with Arabella and said some things that made her feel uncomfortable. She thought she could live with it but in the end she could not. Their living together was stressed. The problem I had with Arabella is that every time Gabriel would make a positive declaration, she refused to believe him because of her lack of self-worth. It was annoying at times because this continued through most of the book. The secondary storyline was very good. I enjoyed it. When I finished reading, I felt disappointed there was no epilogue. I wanted to know if Arabella was increasing and Gabriel’s relationship with his mother if it was flourishing. That is why I gave this a four-star rating instead of a five.
I received a free copy of this book via NetGalley and am voluntarily leaving a review.
A story full of everything I love about historical romance! An expelled student of Mrs. Rathbone’s Academy for Young Ladies of Good Character (yes, I love it!), Miss Arabella Jardine and her three friends had come up with a plan for their debut and a list of men. Unfortunately she was being forced to go on a tour of the continent with her Aunt Flora and Cousin Lilias. But Arabella had secret plans of her own. She wanted to get into the medical field and had her eye on a gentleman she had met through her grandfather.
Gabriel Holmes-Fitzgerald, the Earl of Langdale, better known as the Errant Earl due to his rakish ways, found out his cousin TImothy was going to try to snatch his title and lands away by proving his parent’s marriage was not legitimate. They were married in Scotland and it seemed there was no record to be found. So he set out to find the mother who had left him all those years ago and it seemed she had been in Switzerland last.
Well what do you think happens next? The two meet in a dungeon (oh yes) in a castle in Switzerland and…. Well let’s just say the journey begins! An intellectual with no self confidence and a handsome rake with his own demons make this the perfect tale and I loved every second!
Amy Rose Bennett’s writing is magical as she weaves an unexpected, but enthralling storyline with Gabriel and Arabella, both flawed but perfect for each other. A little adventure, humor, angst and of course and unexpected romance that flares to life and ensnares the heart. Can I just sigh? Perfect.
Gabriel Holmes-Fitzgerald, the Earl of Langdale is not having a good day – he is recovering from a night of debauchery after being punched by his lover’s husband while attending a ball at their home and if that was not bad enough, his cousin has informed him that once his father, Gabriel’s uncle passes away, Timothy plans to challenge Gabriel’s right to the Earldom. He contends that Gabriel’s parents were not legally married in England, therefore rendering him illegitimate. Gabriel needs proof and there is only one person who can help – his mother, problem is, he hasn’t seen her since she left his father many, many years ago. But a little digging and he finds out where she was last year and since London is not the best place for him right now, he heads off to Switzerland to find her.
Arabella Jardine thought that the scandal caused by her “unbecoming” behavior at finishing school ruined her life, she was sadly mistaken. She quickly learns that being caught in a passionate embrace with a half-dressed, well-known rake is much more ruinous and life changing. Arabella is in Switzerland with her family when she runs into Gabriel, he tells her he has a letter for her and promises to deliver it – which he does, but ends up injured and in need of medical assistance. Lucky for him, Arabella has medical knowledge as she often assisted her grandfather in his medical practice. She tends him and he begs for a kiss, which quickly spirals out of control and has him proposing.
Arabella has no choice but to marry him – a man who is honest and tells her he will probably never love her and most likely won’t be faithful. She never expected to marry for love, but the idea of him breaking her heart has her throwing up a wall between them, a wall he desperately wants to knock down.
This was a very good book, it was well written and paced nicely. Both Gabriel and Arabella have had less than stellar childhoods and their experiences have scarred them both in different ways. Arabella is guarded and cautious, while Gabriel is self-indulgent and promiscuous – but deep down they are both insecure and have abandonment issues – they just deal with them differently. There is a lot going on in the book and I wondered if the romance would be lost in the mix, but it works, so be prepared for outrageous flirting, steamy love scenes, secrets, jealousy, addiction, evil relatives, kidnapping, a bit of angst, great secondary characters and a wonderful HEA (complete with an epilogue!!!) This is the second book in the series, but it can easily be read as a stand-alone title. I am happy to recommend this this book, it was a delightful read and am looking forward to the next installment.
*I am voluntarily leaving a review of an eARC that was provided to me by NetGalley and the publisher.*
How to Catch an Errant Earl, book two in The Disreputable Debutantes, makes wicked proper as only Amy Rose Bennett can!
This author brought to her work two vastly different characters yet their shared traits of innate goodness and underestimating their personal value bonded them in a unique way. Gabriel Holmes Fitzgerald, the Earl of Langdale very much personified the role of “rake” with his unrepentant escapades and lack of commitment to anything but his next bout of decadence. With adept writing this author was able to allow his honor to breakthrough while still maintaining glimmers of his incorrigible behavior for a captivating hero. Arabella Jardine while having dabbled in naughty actions was wrongly labeled as a woman of loose morals. Her bluestocking tendencies and her parent’s poor choices further isolated her. Ms. Bennett did an admirable job of showing the struggles of an intellectual woman in Regency England in her portrayal of Arabella in a realistic and poignant manner making her character one that modern readers will easily form a kinship with even as their historic sensibilities are appeased. The unease and emotional grappling between Gabriel and Arabella felt real and the sparks that ignited between this couple were spicy but never gratuitous. Their angst and fears were brought to the pages with a clarity and logic that defied the turmoil of their feelings.
Finding the perfect balance of edgy and risqué without disparaging her characters in the eyes of her audience is a strength of this writer. Amy Rose Bennett’s stories are full of details and wonderfully descriptive, from her portrayal’s feelings to the historic period they are living in. She creates very real characters that while derived from the past feel close enough to engage directly with her readers in the present with their emotional experiences and timeless behaviors. This author’s writing is fluid, never lagging and ever evolving, engaging her audience’s interest throughout her work. Her attention to details is exemplary and she goes to great lengths to bring an understanding of the times she is showing and the rational of her characters choices and concerns without detracting from her story. Amy Rose Bennett’s How to Catch an Errant Earl adds another quality historical romance to her growing list of engaging works!
*I was given an advanced copy. All opinions expressed are my own. *
*While part of a series this book can be read as a standalone. *
I fell into this story and didn’t want to put it down, getting to know Arabella Jardine, one of the Disreputable Debutantes was a lot of fun, seeing her and rake Lord Langdale, Gabriel Holmes-Fitzgerald fall in love is a journey that I would highly recommend, one that is sensual, moving and a must read.
Miss Arabella Jardine and her three friends caused a scandal three years before and finding a husband is not what Arabella wants, she is more interested in caring for orphans and reading medical books, she is a bluestocking through and through, but when her aunt takes her on a Grand Tour she meets the man who will turn her life upside down in Switzerland, a rake when they get caught in a situation marriage is the only way to stop another scandal, it takes a bit before Arabella agrees and then she is starting a new life as Lady Langdale and opening up to a sensual world.
Gabriel is in exile and searching for some answers on the continent, when he meets the most beautiful woman in a dungeon would you believe but when a good deed and a storm bring them together in flagrante, he might be a rake but he is a gentleman and married they will be, but he will never love that is not him and he has a past that he would rather her not know, but he finds her alluring and captivating, but she is strong and puts some restrictions on their marriage which push him.
This is really a fabulous story, I loved Arabella her strength and personality shine, she stands up for what she thinks and the love and caring she shows is beautiful and Gabriel what a rake but hat a lover he truly is, there is a lot going on in this story, family secret’s that need to be uncovered, but the sensual pull and love that grows throughout the book had me cheering this couple on. MS Bennett has taken me on a journey that is filled with romance, suspense, characters that come to life, they feel like friends, it is beautifully written. I am loving this series and am eagerly awaiting the next story, this story has everything that a romance wants in a story, it is a keeper, I loved it thank you MS Bennett.
I loved Gabriel and Arabella’s story!
A chance meeting, mutual friends, and a well-placed lightning bolt all conspired to guide Gabriel and Arabella to a love for the ages! I absolutely adored this sweet and tender love story. Gabriel is a resolute rake, a man who has convinced himself that he’s not worthy of anything more than sharing pleasurable moments with all manner of women. Arabella considers herself too plain to ever entice a man, which works fine because she’d rather devote herself to caring for the unfortunate sick and poor orphans, following in her physician grandfather’s footsteps as much as a woman can be allowed to. When Gabriel needs his dislocated shoulder fixed, her expert care leads to a demonstration of his expert skills and once their exchange is witnessed by her disapproving aunt, a marriage is inevitable.
Theirs is not an easy marriage as Arabella seeks to protect her heart while Gabriel only knows one way to express his feelings. I loved the way the story built up their friendship even while they were at an impasse over their sleeping arrangements, and I nearly cried at the long-awaited reunion with the one person who held the key to saving Gabriel’s estate and title. These characters were carefully nuanced and laced with plenty of humor and steam. I enjoyed the inclusion of their circle of friends and how they supported each other throughout all the trials.
Despite its length, this book was an easy read that I couldn’t put down. There was just enough action to keep me glued to the page, yet the story never lost its focus on the emotional foundation of the main characters. I highly recommend it for anyone who loves historical romance. I voluntarily reviewed an ARC of this book.
ARC Provided by Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.
I have another 5 star book for you my fellow readers. Ms. Amy Rose Bennett is a fantastic writer. This book, How To Catch An Errant Earl was awesome. The book was written like a movie with intense drama, enough action and a lot of steamy love action in the bedroom. Gabriel’s character was well thought out and well written for all the females imagination.
The details for this strong irresistible man was very, very hot. As they say in historical times, Gabriel made females sway wantonly toward his distinguished male anatomy. Poor Arabella had no clue what she was getting into when she met him in the dungeon. I would love to have read where Gabriel and Timothy had one good scene together. One could only imagine what happened there, but let’s just say this would be one case where Arabella wouldn’t have brought her medical bag with her.
I also would love to have read a scene, where Gabriel gave a thoroughly good tongue lashing to Arabella’s aunt. Man if someone slapped me and demanded that I marry someone, because of their insecurities, the bleep would have been on in that bedroom. Hair would have been in disarray, corsets torn apart like a bear attacked her butt. And her tale would have been hanging off the balcony with just her chemise on and me saying whose the Queen B around here?
Yes my fellow readers, this book was deliciously good. Please read the book.
Starring Miss Arabella “Belle” Jardine and Gabriel Holmes-Fitzgerald, the Earl of Langdale. Compromised trope.
I absolutely love Gabriel and Arabella. What a delicious couple with total make-your-toes-curl chemistry. They continuously made me want to fan myself. These two absolutely scorch the pages with their hotness. Arabella and Gabriel made me so giddy and I enjoyed every second I spent reading about their road to HEA.
Gabriel is the perfect kind of alpha hero… totally swoon-worthy!! Aaaand he’s an artist so that puts him over the charts in the hotness scale. He is also a rake of the first water, unrepentant when it comes to his debaucherous ways. But his fascination with Arabella is making him change his views on fidelity and all of a sudden he wants to be a better man for her… I know, right?!?! Le sigh!!
Arabella is a bluestocking who is confident when it comes to her medical knowledge, but is completely at loss that someone like Gabriel would find her beautiful. I love that even though Gabriel turns her insides to mush with his kisses, she stands her ground when it comes to what she wants in their marriage. She’s an absolutely wonderful heroine who is about to bring Gabriel to his knees. You go get your man, Arabella!!!
I totally ugly cried AF in this book…. so much feels for Gabriel and Arabella. Amy Rose Bennett did a fabulous job with this story. She was a “new to me” author in 2019 and I’m so glad I ”discovered” her. I’ve only read a few titles of hers but she’s fast becoming a keeper shelf author. Her books are sensually steamy, with a lot of romance. I absolutely enjoy her writing style and cannot wait to read more of her books!!
I received a complimentary copy of this book. I voluntarily review it and the comments are 100% my own.
My star rating: 5 stars
Ugly cried AF. Major book hangover. Characters and storyline were freaken amazeballs. Made me wanna hug the author for writing a book that gave me all the feels!! Will definitely be re-reading this story over and over and over again!!
I received an ARC of How to Catch an Errant Earl from Netgalley and the author, Amy Rose Bennett. This author is spectacular. I love the wit and humor she brings to her characters. Arabella Jardine, a bespectacled young lady who knows a lot about being a doctor and Gabriel Holmes Fitzgerald, an Earl trying to prove his legitimacy meet accidentally and are thrown together in a marriage of convenience. Amy Rose Bennett made me grin, made me tear up and brought me into the fairytale romance and I could clearly see everything she was describing. Fantastic story!
How to Catch an Errant Earl
The Disreputable Debutantes Series #2
Amy Rose Bennett
https://www.facebook.com/amyrosebennett.author/
Release date 04/28/2020
Publisher Berkley
Blurb :
A debutante with a scandalous past is whisked away from London only to create new headlines on the Continent.
After being expelled from a young ladies’ academy, it seems Miss Arabella Jardine will never find a well-connected husband. Not that she minds. A bluestocking at heart, she’d rather bury her nose in a medical text than wed. When Arabella is forced to accompany her family on a Grand Tour in Switzerland, she unexpectedly encounters the irresistible rakehell-in-exile, Gabriel, the Earl of Langdale. Arabella soon realizes the only thing worse than getting married to a charismatic but unrepentant rake would be to fall in love with him.
Dubbed the Errant Earl by the ton, Gabriel Holmes-Fitzgerald is no stranger to scandal. However, when Gabriel is caught in flagrante with the utterly delectable Arabella Jardine, he’s obliged to offer for her hand. He’ll endeavor to do the right thing even though he’s not a prize catch. He’ll certainly never let Arabella get close enough to discover the demons of his dark past. Indeed, there is one particular demon out to destroy Gabriel by exposing a long-buried family secret.
Soon Gabriel and Arabella find they are not just battling overwhelming desire, but in a fight to save their future together.
My review :
When forced to a marriage of convenience, can they find a way to the heart of the other or is their union already doomed …
So here is the sequel of How To Catch A Wicked Viscount, I wondered how Arabella and Gabriel would meet.
They were both introduced this the first installment and while Gabriel was portrayed as a roguish rake never able to stop his profligate way even when he risks to be caught, and he is still at the beginning of the story. While Arabella is still the Bluestocking with medical knowledge from the first book.
Gabriel, despite his dissolute path is a kind man. He might have strayed on the sins road but he had known nothing else thanks to his awful devoid of care father.
When he kissed Arabella, he could have turned his bad and left, but he stayed and promised not to be faithful but to always be honest and to never keep secrets from her.
Which is an admirable trait, and whatever his past, he accepted Arabella’s every demands when as her husband, he could have done as he pleased, having every rights to listen only to his needs.
I do think I loved him even more than Arabella. Even if he does not recognize the signs, from their first encounter, he was smitten by her and wooed her immediately. He listens to her, shares his secrets and predicaments, tries to please her, and never belittles nor disregards her for her opinions and projects.
He is the best husband she could have wished, he might have flaws, he redeems himself by his deeds.
Arabella is a lovely woman with grand ideas and knowledges but in many ways she is also very naive and demanding. Hopefully she finds herself wed to such an awesome and accommodating man.
Her main problem was her lack of faith in her own worth, still when people are hurt, she jumps in and shows she is to be relied upon. But outside medical fields, she is unable to believe she can attract anyone eyes. Why at time her own lack of faith in Gabriel grated as not once did he do something to cause her to doubt his words. She was the root of her many struggles.
Their romance is sweet and mostly it was Gabriel who reaches out to her, he is opens and despite his mistakes, never shies away from a discussion nor to say the truth.
4.5 stars.
Mrs Amy Rose Bennett delivers a sexy and sweet journey to the heart of two people who do not know their own value.
I was granted an advance copy by the publisher Berkley through Netgalley, but prior to it I had my own preordered. Here is my true and unbiased opinion.
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How to Catch an Errant Earl is the second in The Disreputable Debutantes series but can be read as a stand alone story. This is a story of the magnetism between a bluestocking and a rake. Arabella and her friends were expelled from a young ladies academy and have been labelled disreputable but that doesn’t bother her. She and her friends made a list of rakes to reform but Arabella believes she is too plain to find love, so she focuses on her medical studies and her charitable projects. Gabriel is a rake of the first order and believes he is incapable of love and commitment. When his vile cousin challenges his title and legitimacy, he travels to Switzerland to find his mother to get proof of a legal marriage. While touring the dungeons where Byron was kept, Arabella and Gabriel meet for the first time and instant attraction is present but both deny their feelings. Realizing they have mutual friends, Gabriel delivers a letter to Arabella during a severe storm and is injured in the process. Arabella renders medical aid but the attraction is so great that they kiss and are caught in a compromising situation. The story that follows is filled attraction, danger, a marriage of convenience turned true love and variety of emotions to engage the reader. This is a wonderfully written story that will entertain until the very end.
A poignant love story of two beautiful souls meant to find everlasting love! 5 stars
In 2019, we’ve met Sophie and Nate in Amy Rose Bennett’s 1st story ‘How to Catch a Wicked Viscount’. Now it’s Arabella and Gabriel’s own love story in ‘How to Catch an Errant Earl’! Nicely written with lovable characters such as bluestocking Arabella and Gabriel, the Earl of Langdale. It’s a poignant love story of two beautiful souls meant to find everlasting love! Ms. Bennett has created a beautiful story set during the Regency era, which is probably my favorite period of time. Lovers of historical romance will love it! I could not put it down, as soon as, I started to read it, I got pulled into their story which kept me wanting more details.
If you remember from the 1st story, this series ‘The Disreputable Debutantes’ tells the story of four best friends who attended an academy for young girls and were expelled for their bad behaviours, which caused a scandal. Can Miss Arabella Jardine ever find a well-connected husband? Being a bluestocking at heart, she’d rather bury her nose in a medical text than wed. Gabriel Holmes-Fitzgerald is no stranger to scandal and is hiding a family secret from his past. Are they made for each other? Are they meant to be together?
I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book that I received from her publisher and NetGalley! All thoughts and opinions are my own.
I had mixed feelings about Amy Rose Bennett’s “How to Catch an Errant Earl.” On the positive side, the book was generally well-written, and main character Gabriel, Lord Langdale’s, investigation into the circumstances of his parents’ marriage and his mother’s later disappearance was interesting. I also enjoyed the fact that the first half of the novel was set in Switzerland rather than the typical ballrooms and drawing rooms of Regency London. It was nice to get a glimpse of what traveling on the Continent might have been like 200 years ago.
Gabriel and his love interest, Miss Arabella Jardine, were mostly likeable lead characters, though there were aspects of their personalities that I wish had been better developed. At first, Arabella seemed quite intelligent and capable, and I appreciated her pride in her medical knowledge and the fact that she wasn’t ashamed to be considered a bluestocking. As the story went on, however, her seeming lack of self-esteem when she was around Gabriel really started to bother me, mainly because it didn’t quite seem to fit with her behavior earlier in the novel. Admittedly, Arabella’s aunt and cousin treated her rather poorly over the years and that probably took a toll, but I was still uncomfortable with the way she continually thought of and described herself as “nothing and no one” in comparison to Gabriel because of his title and standing in society. Arabella must have had some family connections or else how could she have been admitted to the ladies’ academy where she met Lady Charlotte and her other friends? If the academy was good enough for the daughter of an earl, it must have been pretty selective.
Gabriel was a roguishly charming hero, but I appreciated the fact that he actually seemed to grow up a bit over the course of the story. Perhaps because of the threat of his cousin challenging his title, he finally realized what was important in life and that he needed to take his responsibilities more seriously. However, I wish that Gabriel’s addiction to laudanum had been explored in greater depth. It was an important part of his background, but seemed to be treated as nothing more than an afterthought.
As for the relationship between Arabella and Gabriel, while their physical attraction to each other was obvious, I remained unconvinced of their emotional connection by the end of the book. I am not a fan of the insta-lust or insta-love tropes, and both of those seemed to come into play here. Gabriel could never quite explain what it was that he actually liked about Arabella, but he somehow “just knew” he had to have her. Arabella became obsessed with the fact that Gabriel wasn’t in love with her and tried to push him away. They seemed to keep having the same argument over and over again, and frankly, I found myself growing more and more annoyed with Arabella and her unrealistic expectations. They were forced to marry quickly without knowing each other at all, and the whole story took place over only a month or so. They needed to spend some time getting to know each other in order to fall in love!
Overall, like the first book in this series, “How to Catch an Errant Earl” was not a terrible book, but I did not find it to be particularly memorable either. I will probably give the series one more chance since I’ve enjoyed getting to know Arabella’s friends Olivia and Lady Charlotte (Charlie) in these first two books, but at this point my expectations are pretty low.
*ARC provided by the publisher via NetGalley. All opinions expressed are my own.
Amy Rose Bennett’s How to Catch an Errant Earl is 2nd book in The Disreputable Debutantes series which is about 4 women who were ruined when they were kicked out of their finishing school for disreputable behavior.
Arabella thinks she is in love with a Dr at a foundling hospital and dreams of working side by side with him. Arabella has learned about medicine from working with her physician grandfather – and wants to help children.
Instead, she must accompany her aunt’s family on a tour of the continent. She is at the mercy of her not-so-great relatives. But her life changes course dramatically when she meets someone unexpected on the trip.
Gabriel, the Errant Earl, has to flee London after being publicly called out for an affair with a married woman. Plus, his evil cousin is planning to steal Gabriel’s title by proving that Gabriel is illegitimate. Thus, Gabriel sets out for the continent.
Arabella & Gabriel meet under unusual circumstances and Gabriel soon finds himself needing medical care with only Arabella for help (which she administers admirably, of course). Close quarters lead to some passionate kissing and soon after . . . marriage.
Gabriel doesn’t think he can be faithful (HE HAS SO MANY NEEDS!); he isn’t sure what will happen to his title, but he does offer Arabella the resources and support to build her own foundling hospital. With her nasty relatives nagging her, she accepts his proposal.
AND THERE IS A SPURT! “Shuddering, moaning, he crushed Arabella’s trembling body against the door as his seed erupted inside her in long, hard, violent spurts.” VIOLENT SPURTS!
As I mentioned, I am a big fan of The Disreputable Debutantes series – and this book. It is sexy. Arabella is a fantastic heroine whose life plans take a dramatic turn when she is caught kissing Gabriel. She approaches things pragmatically and unapologetically.
Meanwhile, like many historical heroes, Gabriel has to come to terms with his ability to actually feel significant emotions when Arabella crashes into his life. But he always supports her and her life’s aspirations.
How To Catch an Errant Earl is a delightfully delicious and steamy historical romance. I have also had the good fortune to read the next book in the series How To Catch a Sinful Marquess – YUMMY!
HOW TO CATCH AN ERRANT EARL by Amy Rose Bennett is book Two in The Disreputable Debutantes Series. This is the story of Gabriel Holmes-Fitzgerald, the Earl of Langdale and Arabella Jardine. I have read the previous book, which did add to my enjoyment of this one. But, I feel this can be a standalone book if you wish to do so. Arabella and her friends had been expelled from the ladies academy which lead to their disgrace with the town. Arabella and her family go on a Grand Tour which leads her to meet Gabriel. Gabriel is a rake but his latest entanglement has left him taking a break from everything to cool the rumors. In addition to that he is out to find his mother to prove his parents where married and that he is the legitimate heir that his cousin his trying to prove that Gabriel is not. Gabriel and Arabella get caught in a compromising position which of course will lead for him to do the right thing. But both have issues that they need to overcome before either can find their happy ending. I really enjoyed this author’s writing and hope to read more from her soon.
Miss Arabella Jardine has yet to live down the scandal that saw her expelled from finishing school three years ago. She’s not too bothered by her lack of marriage prospects as she’d rather pursue medical practice and her dream of opening an orphanage. On a trip with her family to Switzerland, Arabella meets rakish Gabriel, the Earl of Langdale, and is rather surprised by the strong pull she feels toward the enigmatic man.
Gabriel Holmes-Fitzgerald, the Earl of Langdale, is the subject of many a scandal, but he remains unrepentant in his rakish ways. But when he’s caught in a compromising position with the lovely Arabella, h still finds himself trying to do the right thing by offering for her hand. He’s determined to keep her at arm’s length and away from his dark past and she’s equally determined to protect her heart from the man she’s sure will break it. Soon the desire between them is nearly too great to resist, but they must also contend with other threats to their future.
I really wound up liking Arabella and Gabriel together, though it did take awhile for him to grow on me. The characters were lovely and complex and the action picked up near the end and kept me engrossed. I think the fact that it took me so long to finish this is down to the strange and stressful nature of life right now and not the book itself. I would’ve liked to see a bit more of Arabella’s developing confidence in the end and a bit less callousness and borderline manipulation from Gabriel at the beginning. Regardless, I think both main characters were well-developed and a good match. I would like to go back and read the first book now and then continue on with this series.
I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
4.5 Stars
After being expelled from a young ladies’ academy, it seems Miss Arabella Jardine will never find a well-connected husband. Not that she minds. A bluestocking at heart, she’d rather bury her nose in a medical text than wed. When Arabella is forced to accompany her family on a Grand Tour in Switzerland, she unexpectedly encounters the irresistible rakehell-in-exile, Gabriel, the Earl of Langdale. Arabella soon realizes the only thing worse than getting married to a charismatic but unrepentant rake would be to fall in love with him. Dubbed the Errant Earl by the ton, Gabriel Holmes-Fitzgerald is no stranger to scandal. However, when Gabriel is caught in flagrante with the utterly delectable Arabella Jardine, he’s obliged to offer for her hand. He’ll endeavour to do the right thing even though he’s not a prize catch.
This is the second book in the series, we met Sophie Brightwell, Lady Charlotte (Charlie) Hastings, Arabella Jardine, and Olivia de Vere who were expelled from Mrs. Rathbone’s Academy for Young Ladies of Good Character in the first book, the four of them created a list of rakes they could consider and pursue as husbands – because no respectable peer would deign to marry one of the disgraced quartet. Sophie got her rake, now it is Arabella’s turn. A fun read that had everything romance, a kidnapping, a mystery, I was drawn in from the start & loved Gabriel & Arabella’s road to a HEA, which was strewn with obstacles. Strong characters with plenty of depth added to my enjoyment. There were cameos from previous characters, which I love. A well written captivating read that lifted my mood & made me smile, I look forward to Charlie & Olivia’s stories
My honest review is for a special copy I voluntarily read